Propeller locations study of a generic delta wing UAV model
Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology
ISSN: 0002-2667
Article publication date: 30 November 2020
Issue publication date: 16 February 2021
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to investigate the effects of propeller locations on the aerodynamic characteristics of a generic 55° swept angle sharp-edged delta wing unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) model.
Design/methodology/approach
A generic delta-winged UAV model has been designed and fabricated to investigate the aerodynamic properties of the model when the propeller is placed at three different locations. In this research, the propeller has been placed at three different positions on the wing, namely, front, middle and rear. The experiments were conducted in a closed-circuit low-speed wind tunnel at speeds of 20 and 25 m/s corresponding to 0.6 × 106 and 0.8 × 106 Reynolds numbers, respectively. The propeller speed was set at constant 6,000 RPM and the angles of attack were varied from 0° to 20° for all cases. During the experiment, two measurement techniques were used on the wing, which were the steady balance measurement and surface pressure measurement.
Findings
The results show that the locations of the propeller have significant influence on the lift, drag and pitching moment of the UAV. Another important observation obtained from this study is that the location of the propeller can affect the development of the vortex and vortex breakdown. The results also show that the propeller advance ratio can also influence the characteristics of the primary vortex developed on the wing. Another main observation was that the size of the primary vortex decreases if the propeller advance ratio is increased.
Practical implications
There are various forms of UAVs, one of them is in the delta-shaped planform. The data obtained from this experiment can be used to understand the aerodynamic properties and best propeller locations for the similar UAV aircrafts.
Originality/value
To the best of the author’s knowledge, the surface pressure data available for a non-slender delta-shaped UAV model is limited. The data presented in this paper would provide a better insight into the flow characteristics of generic delta winged UAV at three different propeller locations.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
Erratum: It has come to the attention of the publisher that the article Kasim, K.A., Mat, S., Ishak, I.S. and Mansor, S. (2020), “Propeller locations study of a generic delta wing UAV model”, Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print. https://doi.org/10.1108/AEAT-11-2018-0279 includes incorrect Figure 1. This error was introduced in the editorial process and has now been corrected in the online version. The publisher sincerely apologises for this error and for any inconvenience caused.
The authors would like to express their appreciation for the support of the sponsor from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (21H05, 18H06 & 4Y225). The author, Khushairi Amri Kasim gratefully acknowledges the scholarship from UTM Zamalah for his PhD’s study. The data presented, the statement made and views expressed are solely the responsibility of the authors.
Citation
Kasim, K.A., Mat, S., Ishak, I.S. and Mansor, S. (2021), "Propeller locations study of a generic delta wing UAV model", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 93 No. 1, pp. 127-138. https://doi.org/10.1108/AEAT-11-2018-0279
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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